A critical rescue mission to save a NASA space telescope remains grounded due to a last-minute launch issue. The Northrop Grumman rocket plane took off Thursday from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific following weather-related delays throughout the week. However, a software problem led to the cancellation, keeping the Pegasus rocket attached to the plane, according to NASA.
The issue has since been resolved, and another launch attempt is scheduled for Friday. The rocket is carrying a three-armed robotic spacecraft built by Katalyst Space Technologies. This spacecraft is designed to capture the Swift Observatory, which will crash by October without intervention.
NASA suspended Swift’s scientific operations earlier this year to maintain its orbit as long as possible. Since its 2004 launch, Swift has detected thousands of gamma-ray bursts and exploding stars, notifying other telescopes for detailed observations. With hopes that Swift will continue scanning the universe, NASA hired Katalyst Space last September for the $30 million rescue operation.
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